Strictly’s sweetest star reveals other pros ‘whispered that she was going to be awful’

Strictly Come Dancing star Janette Manrara has revealed the tough times she faced during her first year on the series, when she heard ‘whispers’ from other pros who doubted her abilities.

In 2013, the professional dancer joined the BBC series, where she was partnered up with fashion designer Julien Macdonald for her first season.

That same year, her then-boyfriend, now-husband Aljaž Škorjanec – who was also a first-time pro on the programme, and has returned for 2024 – ended up winning the dance competition with his partner, model Abbey Clancy.

On Tuesday, Metro.co.uk attended a launch event for Janette’s new book, Tiny Dancer, Big World, during which she opened up about her first year on Strictly and why it was such a difficult time for her.

Looking back on the period of her life 11 years ago, the It Takes Two presenter shared: ‘It was my first year on Strictly, I really wanted the job. I didn’t think I would ever get the job because I didn’t compete in Ballroom Latin. I didn’t have all the titles that the rest of the dancers had on the show. So when I actually got the job, I thought, “My gosh, this is the best thing in the world.”

‘With Aljaž, at the time we were just dating. So I thought, “Gosh, we can stay together. Of course, I’m gonna say yes.” Then when it started, Julien, who’s here, was my first partner ever on the show. He’s still my friend.’

Janette continued: ‘I always felt I knew I could dance and I knew I could teach, and I knew I could choreograph, I know I can. But when you get put on that level of exposure with everyone waiting for you to fail, because I had heard whispers from other professionals and other people behind the scenes, “She’s never going to do well. She’s going to be awful. She’s not even a Ballroom Latin dancer. How is she ever going to do this?”

‘And it was just like, I started believing it. I started believing “I don’t know if I can do this”.’

Janette explained how the fact that she and Julien made it through several dance-offs proved that they were ‘doing a good job’, as they were beating other couples to make it through.

The 40-year-old, who shares her baby daughter Lyra with Aljaž, 34, then acknowledged how different the experiences were that both of had on Strictly over a decade ago.

‘Aljaž coming on the same year as I did, being the hottest man on the show, and getting Abbey Clancy, who was phenomenal, she could do anything that woman. He had such a different trajectory than I did,’ she said.

‘It was hard, because I thought, I’m not good enough. I’m not going to survive this show. I can’t teach a celebrity, clearly I’m not a good enough choreographer. All those things really kicked in, and I just felt like I wasn’t enough, and I was ready for the next year to get the phone call that I’m not coming back, because I just assumed that was the case.’

To add to the self-doubt that she was experiencing, Janette also felt lonely when Aljaž went on the Strictly Live Tour, as she didn’t take part in it that year.

‘It was probably, I would say, the toughest time in my life in terms of how hard I was on myself, because even when I went home to my family, they’re like, “You’re not yourself, you’re not okay,”’ she added.

Janette credited producers on her first series of Strictly for being a rock for her at that time, as well as Aljaž for the support that he gave her, although he was also busy with Abbey and the Live Tour.

The following year, Janette admitted that she felt ‘very triggered’ and ‘really scared’ when she returned for a second season.

However, after returning to the Burn The Floor show and visiting her family in Miami for two and a half weeks, ‘all that really just brought me back to me’, and she felt ‘more grounded in her own feet again’ despite noticing the triggers around her.

In her book, the author offers her readers advice on learning to love themselves through four pillars, which she’s titled Acceptance, Reflection, The Work and Discovery.

While delving into the beginning of her Strictly journey, Janette said that she found it ‘immensely therapeutic’.

‘But more therapeutic than writing the book was the journey that I went through when I was learning everything that is in the book, and I think I wouldn’t be able to survive the madness of motherhood and work at the same time if I hadn’t done this,’ she said.

‘I think Lyra came into my life at the right time. Because if Lyra would have come in then, I don’t know if I would have been as good a mum. I wasn’t ready mentally, I think my self-worth wasn’t what it is now. And writing about that time in my life was very liberating. I felt very free to finally say it, talk about it.’

Despite having some hard experiences on her first series of Strictly, Janette emphasised that when she looks back on competing with Julien in 2013, ‘it’s only happy memories’.

Janette expressed her hope that her book will help readers ask questions about themselves, such as whether they’re ‘really happy’ with where they are in themselves.

‘It’s not about a career, and it’s not about marital life, it’s about you without that. Who are you? What makes you happy? What doesn’t make you happy? Are you really fulfilled in the space that you’re in right now?’ she outlined.

Tiny Dancer, Big World is available to buy here.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday night on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.